Landlords to register rental properties under new Renters’ Rights reforms
Private landlords in England will be required to sign up to a new national registration service under the next phase of the government’s Renters’ Rights Act reforms.
It is aimed at improving protections for tenants and strengthening enforcement against rogue landlords.
The ‘Register your rental property’ service will begin rolling out from December 2026 and will eventually become a legal requirement for all landlords with rental properties in England.
Collating a national register
Under the plans, councils will gain access to landlord and property information, allowing them to identify rogue landlords more quickly and take enforcement action where necessary.
Tenants will also be able to check whether a landlord has registered, helping them make more informed decisions when choosing a property and giving greater confidence that landlords are operating within the rules.
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The government said the register would help create a fairer market by allowing responsible landlords to demonstrate compliance while preventing rogue operators from gaining an unfair advantage.
New process for rent challenges
Alongside the registration reforms, the government has announced that HMRC’s Valuation Office Agency (VOA) will take responsibility for determining challenges to rent increases in England.
Ministers said the change is intended to speed up the resolution of rent disputes and reduce pressure on the tribunal system.
Until the new process is introduced, tenants wishing to challenge a rent increase will continue to apply to the First-tier Tribunal. Renters who submit a challenge will not be required to pay the increased rent until a final decision has been reached.
Matthew Pennycook, housing minister, said: “By transferring responsibility for making initial rent determinations to HMRC’s Valuation Office, we will ensure that challenges to proposed rent increases are determined faster and pressure on the tribunal system is reduced, giving tenants and landlords confidence that rent disputes will continue to be resolved efficiently and effectively.
“Roll-out of a national landlord registration service is an important first step toward establishing our new innovative database of private rented sector properties, which will empower tenants, support responsible landlords and help councils enforce our transformative Renters’ Rights Act.”
Government aims for digital-first system
James Murray, Financial Secretary to the Treasury and Paymaster General, said the future service would build on the VOA’s expertise in the rental sector and help create a “modern, digital-first” system that works for both tenants and landlords.
Meanwhile, Sarah Sackman, courts and legal services minister, said: “By ensuring rental disputes can be resolved through a new dedicated service, this will provide quicker decisions for renters and landlords while relieving future pressure on tribunals.”
Landlords will be asked to register their properties as the scheme is introduced region by region.
Once a region enters the roll-out programme, landlords will have three months to complete registration. Failure to do so could result in financial penalties.
Initially, the requirements will apply to properties that are already let or become occupied during the roll-out period.
All landlords actively letting property in England are expected to be registered by 14 November 2027.
